FAMILIES have been urged to contact police if they think their children have been abused after a man who worked in nurseries for 20 years was jailed for sexual offences.

Andrew Evans, 36, formerly of Church Road in Crowborough pleaded guilty to four offences of engaging in sexual activity, and one offence of arranging and facilitating sexual activity, with a 15-year-old boy he met in East Grinstead last year.

He also pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 13 in Uckfield and possessing indecent images of her while babysitting for her family.

The offences came to light earlier this year when police received a report that Evans met the disabled 15-year-old boy at an isolated car park, where he committed a series of sexual offences against the boy.

Evans attempted to continue the relationship, but the boy blocked contact with him and told his school and parents what had happened.

While on police bail, officers discovered Evans was continuing to advertise as a babysitter on a website. Police then discovered he had committed offences against a seven-year-old girl while babysitting at her home in Uckfield.

In sentencing at Hove Crown Court earlier today, Evans was sentenced to six years and eight months' imprisonment.

He will also be put on an extended prison supervision licence for a further three years on release and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order to last indefinitely - which includes prohibitions on any contact with children, restricts his residents and movements in public places around children, and restricts his access to mobile devices.

While Evans had no previous convictions, police have appealed to families who think their children may have been sexually abused to come forward after it emerged he worked in the voluntary and statutory childcare sector across Sussex, Kent and Surrey - including nurseries, for two decades.

Detective Inspector Steve Cobbett of Sussex Police Public Protection Command said: “We have been making widespread enquiries amongst many organisations across the South East and so far no criminal offences have been reported by them.

“We have also set up a designated response, Operation Tristar, for any parent or guardian who, on learning of this case, has concerns that their children or children they care for, could have been subjected to crimes.

“We will robustly investigate any new allegations and support any victims with our specially trained officers.”

People with concerns are urged to contact police online or on 101, quoting Operation Tristar, with information treated with “extreme discretion”.

Evans will also be a registered sex offender for life and was issued with lifelong restraining orders, prohibiting him from any contact with either of his victims.

Detective Inspector Steve Cobbett of the Sussex Police Public Protection Command said: “This has been a long and thorough investigation involving highly concerning allegations of serious child sexual abuse. The sentencing today reflects the gravity of these crimes.

“It is important to recognise that the victims in these investigations have been extremely brave coming forward to report these crimes and relive them during our investigation. They deserve immense credit for this and will continue to be supported following today’s sentencing. I would like to thank them for their support and resilience throughout.”